Chapter 3. Country Direction and Priorities for the Future

Egyptians are optimistic about the future of their country. More than twice as many say they are satisfied with the way things are going in Egypt as did so a year ago; and while ratings of economic conditions remain negative, most now say they expect the economy to improve over the next 12 months.

When asked about priorities for the future, large majorities rank key tenets of democracy – such as freedom of speech, honest elections, a fair judiciary, a civilian-controlled military, religious freedom and gender equality – as important, with the highest priority given to a fair judicial system and the freedom to openly criticize the government. Most Egyptians also say democracy is preferable to any other kind of government, but support for democracy coexists with a desire for stability and economic prosperity.

Majorities of Egyptians want elections to be held as soon as possible rather than waiting until political parties have time to organize; still, fewer than half are certain that the next election will be free and fair. And, at this point, no group emerges as a clear favorite to lead the next government – the New Wafd Party, the Muslim Brotherhood and the Al-Ghad Party receive similar levels of support.

National Conditions

About two-thirds of Egyptians now say they are satisfied with the way things are going in their country; 34% are dissatisfied. One year ago, views of the country’s direction were reversed, with just 28% expressing satisfaction and 69% saying they were dissatisfied with the way things were going in Egypt.

Looking ahead, close to six-in-ten (57%) say they are optimistic about the country’s future. Poorer people have an especially positive outlook; about two-thirds (66%) of Egyptians with monthly household incomes of 1,000 Egyptian pounds or less are optimistic about the country’s future, compared with 52% of those with incomes between 1,001 and 2,500 Egyptian pounds and 55% of those with incomes above 2,500 Egyptian pounds.

Egyptians also express optimism about their short-term economic future. While 64% say current economic conditions are bad, this is an improvement from a year ago, when eight-in-ten gave the economy a negative rating. Furthermore, a majority of Egyptians (56%) now say they expect the economy to improve over the next year; just a quarter expressed such optimism in 2010.

Positive ratings of current economic conditions are especially prevalent among those with a college education and those with higher incomes. About four-in-ten (43%) of those with a college education say the economy is in good shape, compared with about three-in-ten of those with only a secondary (32%) or a primary education (31%); similarly, 46% of those in the high-income group say the current economic situation is good, while 32% of those in the middle-income group and 25% of those in the low-income group share this view.

And while those with lower incomes are more likely to say they are optimistic about the future of the country more generally, those with high incomes are more likely than those in the low-income group to express optimism about Egypt’s short-term economic future; 62% of those with high incomes expect the economy to improve over the next year, compared with a slim majority (52%) of those in the lowest income group.

Support for Democracy

About seven-in-ten (71%) Egyptians say democracy is preferable to any other kind of government, up from 60% a year ago; 17% say that, in some circumstances, a non-democratic government can be preferable and 10% say that, for someone like them, it does not matter what kind of government Egypt has.

Egyptians are also more likely than they have been in the past to say democracy, rather than a strong leader, can best solve the country’s problems. More than six-in-ten (64%) say that is the case, while 34% say Egypt should rely on a strong leader. In 2007, Egyptians were nearly evenly split; 50% said the country should rely on a democratic government and 47% believed a strong leader could better solve national problems.

Most also say it is more important for Egypt to have a democratic government, even if there is some risk of political instability; 54% express this opinion. Yet, a sizeable minority (32%) says it is more important for their country to have a stable government, even if there is some risk it will not be fully democratic, and 14% do not know which they would prefer.

When asked to choose between a good democracy and a strong economy, Egyptians are divided; 47% choose a good democracy, while 49% opt for a strong economy. In 2007, a slim majority (53%) preferred a strong economy to a good democracy (42%).

Those with high incomes are more likely than those with middle and low incomes to prioritize a good democracy over a strong economy. Nearly six-in-ten (58%) of those in the high-income group say they would choose a good democracy, while 40% say a strong economy is more important. By comparison, 45% and 39% of those with middle and low incomes, respectively, choose a good democracy, while 53% in each group prefer a strong economy.

On the other hand, support for democracy over a strong leader and political stability is especially prevalent among those with low incomes. More than six-in-ten (64%) of those with low household incomes say it is more important for Egypt to have a democratic government, even if there is some risk of instability, compared with 48% of those with middle incomes and 55% of those with high incomes. Similarly, about three-quarters (74%) of those with low incomes choose democracy over a strong leader to deal with national problems compared with 65% of those with middle incomes and a narrower 54%-majority of those with high incomes.

The view that a democratic government, rather than a strong leader, is the best approach for solving Egypt’s problems is also more widespread among those ages 50 and older. About three-quarters (74%) of older Egyptians prefer democracy over a leader with a strong hand, compared with about six-in-ten of those ages 30 to 49 (62%) and those younger than 30 (61%).

Economy and a Fair Judiciary Among Top Priorities

Thinking about Egypt’s future, about eight-in-ten (82%) say it is very important for economic conditions to improve; a similar percentage (79%) gives equal importance to a judicial system that treats everyone in the same way. More than six-in-ten also say it is very important that anyone can openly criticize the government and that law and order be maintained (63% each).

Other key features of democracy, while deemed at least somewhat important by an overwhelming majority of Egyptians, do not register as highly as a top priority. For example, a narrower 55% majority says it is very important for Egypt to have honest elections that are held regularly with a choice of at least two political parties; half say the same about allowing religious parties to be part of the government.

Gender equality, religious freedom and a civilian-controlled military are seen as top priorities by fewer than half of Egyptians. About four-in-ten (39%) say it is very important for women to have the same rights as men; 36% believe it is very important for Copts and other religious minorities to practice their faiths freely; and just 27% place high importance on Egypt having a military that is under the control of civilian leaders.

Not surprisingly, women are far more likely than men to value gender equality. Nearly half of Egyptian women (48%) say it is very important for women to have the same rights as men; just 30% of men say that is the case. Women also place higher priority on law and order; two-thirds rate it as very important, compared with 58% of men.

Support for Religious-Based Laws

Most Egyptians (62%) believe laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Quran, a view that is shared by majorities across demographic groups. About a quarter (27%) say laws should follow the values and principles of Islam but should not strictly follow the teachings of the Quran; just 5% say laws should not be influenced by the teachings of the Quran.

Support for laws that strictly follow the teachings of the Quran is far more widespread among those who sympathize with Islamic fundamentalists; 81% of Muslims in this group endorse such religion-based laws. Among Muslims who sympathize with those who disagree with Islamic fundamentalists, fewer than half (47%) say laws should strictly follow the teachings of the Quran, 35% say laws should follow the values and principles of Islam, and 12% believe laws should not be influenced by the Quran.

Elections

Nearly six-in-ten (62%) Egyptians think parliamentary and presidential elections should be held as soon as possible so that a new government can take office quickly; 36% would like elections to be delayed until political parties have enough time to organize. Older Egyptians are particularly inclined to say elections should occur as soon as possible; 71% of those ages 50 and older share this view, compared with about six-in-ten of those ages 30 to 49 (60%) and those younger than 30 (58%).

Yet, while Egyptians are eager for a new government to take office, many are uncertain that the next elections will be free and fair. About four-in-ten (41%) say this is very likely, while another 43% say it is only somewhat likely and 16% believe it is not too likely (8%) or not at all likely (8%) that the upcoming election will be free and fair with a choice of at least two parties.

Nor is there a consensus among Egyptians as to which group they would like to see lead the next government. One-in-five express support for the New Wafd Party, while 17% would like to see the Muslim Brotherhood lead the government and about the same percentage (16%) favor the Al-Ghad Party; about one-in-ten express support for the Tagammu Party (11%) or the National Democratic Party (10%).

For the most part, support is split among different political players across demographic groups. Yet, the New Wafd Party emerges as a frontrunner among younger Egyptians; 25% of those younger than age 30 would like to see the New Wafd Party lead the next government, compared with 15% who support the Muslim Brotherhood and 14% who support the Al-Ghad Party, the second and third choices among younger respondents, respectively.

Those who express favorable opinions of the Muslim Brotherhood are not significantly more likely to support the group to lead the next government than they are to support other groups; similarly, the Al-Ghad Party is not the clear choice of those who have a favorable view of its founder, Ayman Nour. However, Hosni Mubarak’s National Democratic Party is the clear choice among the 13% who have a favorable opinion of the former president. About four-in-ten (42%) of those who have a positive view of Mubarak want his party to lead the next government; 23% favor the New Wafd Party, which receives the second-most support among those with positive opinions of Mubarak.

About Pew Research Center Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping America and the world. It conducts public opinion polling, demographic research, media content analysis and other empirical social science research. Pew Research Center does not take policy positions. It is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts.